Are all republicans and democrats as different as we think? Look specifically into State Representative candidates Michele Bachmann's (R) and Collin Peterson's (DFL) views on the issues.

By Kate Butler Each candidate has a different stand on the the many issues involved in a political race. Across District lines, where do candidates of different parties agree or disagree? Michele Bachmann (R) of District 6 and Collin Peterson (DFL) of District 7 are heavily favored in their Districts, so where do they stand on issues? There are four categories, International Issues, Domestic Issues, Economic Issues and Social Issues.

International Issues: -Foreign Policy: Bachmann holds a commitment to unbreakable U.S.-Israel bond, and Peterson stands for allowing travel between the United States and Cuba. - Homeland Security: Peterson voted YES on restricting no-bid defense contracts. -War & Peace: Peterson voted YES on investigating Bush impeachment for lying about Iraq. -Free Trade: Peterson voted YES on assisting workers who lose jobs due to globalization. -Immigration: Both stand for declaring English as the official language of the U.S. -Energy & Oil: Bachmann voted NO on enforcing limits on CO2 global warming pollutions.

Domestic Issues: -Gun Control: Both voted to ban gun registration & trigger lock law in Washington DC. -Crime: Both voted NO on enforcing against anti-gay hate crimes. -Drugs: Peterson voted NO on subjecting federal employees to random drug tests. -Civil Rights: Bachmann voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation. -Jobs: Bachmann voted NO on restricting employer interference in union organizing. -Environment: Both voted NO on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program.

Economic Issues: -Budget & Economy: Both voted YES $192 billion additional anti-recession stimulus spending. -Government Reform: Bachmann voted NO on granting Washington DC an Electoral vote & vote in Congress. -Tax Reform: Peterson stands to abolish the IRS and replace income tax with nation sales tax. -Social Security: Peterson is rated at 20 percent by the ARA, indicating an anti-senior voting record. -Welfare & Poverty: Peterson voted NO on responsible fatherhood via faith-based organizations. -Technology: Bachmann stands for no performance royalties for radio music.

Social Issues: -Education: Peterson voted YES on $40 billion for green public schools. -Health Care: Bachmann voted NO on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program. -Abortion: Both voted NO on extending stem cell research. -Families & Children: Bachmann voted NO on four weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees. -Corporations: Both voted YES on more funding for natotechnology R&D and commercialization. -Principles & Values: Bachmann strives for recognizing Christianity's importance to western civilization, while Peterson is a member of the "Blue Dog" Coalition of conservative Democrats.

To view each candidates full overview of the issues, just click below!

Bachmann on the issues Peterson on the issues

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